Brutal husky attack leaves Ohio woman with over 15 bites; daughter calls for help
An Ohio mother narrowly survived a vicious attack by her neighbor’s husky, thanks to the heroic actions of her seven-year-old daughter. Michelle Savage-McPherson, 41, was mauled by the dog on September 29 near her home in Athens, Ohio, suffering multiple bites in front of her toddler.
The incident occurred as Savage-McPherson stepped out of her garage, where the aggressive husky suddenly appeared and launched its attack. “I walked out our garage door to our backyard, and out of nowhere, our neighbor’s husky was right there growling at me,” she recounted. The attack left her with deep wounds to her chest, breast, and thigh, and at one point, the dog dragged her toward nearby woods.
Daughter’s quick response saved her mother’s life
Savage-McPherson’s seven-year-old daughter, Brynlee, witnessed the horrifying scene from their home and screamed for help. Her cries alerted Michelle’s husband, Mitchell McPherson, who rushed to his wife’s aid, ultimately causing the dog to retreat.
“I would’ve died if my husband didn’t come out there,” Michelle shared, reflecting on the terrifying moments when she feared for her life. “The only thing that saved my life was my seven-year-old daughter who saw it happening from our back window and screamed for my husband.”
Despite being rescued, Michelle sustained 16 bites during the ordeal. The family’s two cats were also killed by the same husky, which had previously bitten another neighbor.
Dog returned to its owner despite attack history
The dog has a documented history of aggressive behavior, yet Michelle expressed frustration that local authorities have taken limited action. “He’s attacked our neighbor too, and they said there was nothing they could do. The dog was just given back to the owner,” she said.
Michelle’s pleas to the local warden for stricter action have been met with bureaucratic obstacles. “They said they can mark the dog as aggressive and register it as a dangerous dog in the courts, but that’s it,” she explained. The family has been left in fear, with their children now afraid to play outside. “It’s like being a prisoner in our own home. It makes us want to move.”
Ongoing investigation and public outcry
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has refrained from commenting on the attack due to ongoing criminal and civil proceedings. Meanwhile, the Athens County Dog Warden has been contacted for a statement, as the community grapples with the question of what measures will be taken to prevent future attacks.
For Savage-McPherson and her family, the aftermath of the attack has been traumatic. “She [her daughter] nearly watched her mom die,” Michelle said. “Our kids love being outside, and now we feel like we have to keep them indoors. It’s a torment.”
This brutal attack has sparked a larger conversation about dog safety and the responsibility of pet owners, as well as the legal measures in place to address dangerous animals in residential areas.